Shutdown in Kashmir against 'ill-treatment' to jailed Yasin

MAJID NABI. Dated: 4/24/2019 11:26:59 AM

SRINAGAR, Apr 23: Normal life was affected across Kashmir including Srinagar city on Tuesday following separatist’s shutdown call against alleged ill-treatment meted out to JKLF Chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik by National Investigation Agency (NIA) at Delhi’s Tihar Jail.Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) an umbrella body of separatist outfits comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik against the alleged ill-treatment to JKLF Chairman, ongoing aggression against Kashmiri resistance leaders, activists, senior businessmen, trade union leaders, relatives and family members of resistance leaders and people from different sections of the society.The impact of shutdown was witnessed far and wide in Kashmir as markets wore deserted look with all shops, business establishments and fuel stations closed and traffic off the roads. However skeletal movement of private vehicles and cabs could be seen on deserted roads.Attendance in government and semi government offices, banks, courts and post offices was recorded thin as the employees could not make it to their respective places of work due to the non-availability of public transport.Suspension of public transport affected inter district transport service in the valley while authorities also suspended Baramulla-Banihal train service as a precautionary measure which further compounded the problems of employees who use to travel via train to reach to their destination.No restrictions were imposed by the authorities anywhere in the summer capital as has been witnessed on the day of strike except for deploying police and paramilitary troopers to main law and order in some areas of the old city.Despite shutdown and presence of security forces on roads, the situation remained comparatively calm as no untoward incident was reported from anywhere, a senior official said.Nevertheless, shutdown marked elections in Anantnag parliamentary constituency that went to polls today with eighteen candidates including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti, PCC President, Ghulam Ahmad Mir and NC candidate and retd High Court Judge, Justice Hasnain Masoodi in fray.Reports reaching here from south Kashmir districts including Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian also observed complete shutdown on JRL call with all markets closed and traffic suspended from roads.Officials said although some incidents of violence were reported from poll bound district, however the situation remained calm by and large with heightened security arrangements in place.In central Kashmir districts including, Budgam and Ganderbal people paying heed to separatist call observed complete shutdown. Reports reaching from north Kashmir also suggested that complete shutdown following JRL cal was observed with all markets closed and traffic off the roads.